Henry Gally Knight (1786-1846; architectural writer and M.P.)

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Gally Knight was the only son of Henry Gally Knight of Langold Hall, Yorkshire. Following his education at Eton and Oxford, he turned his attention to the study of architecture and published several architectural studies.

In 1814 he entered politics, having been elected M.P. for Aldborough, a seat controlled by the Duke of Newcastle under Lyne. After an interlude as M.P. for Malton, in 1835 Gally Knight was elected to another Newcastle seat, that of North Nottinghamshire, which he continued to hold at the time of his death.

Gally Knight’s death sudden death precipitated a by-election. Following his acrimonious defeat at South Nottinghamshire, the Earl of Lincoln seriously considered coming forward as a candidate, though abandoned this plan in favour of a more certain seat in the Falkirk Burghs.